Ice-making apparatus.



PATENTED MAR. 7, 1905.

A. 0 PRICE.

ICE MAKING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APE. 6.1698.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 5 1 Luautoz tome $7M No. 784,315. PATENTED MAR.7,1905.A. 0. PRIGK.

ICE MAKING APPARATUS.

APPLIOATIOH FILED APE. 6.1898.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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UNITED STATES Patented March 7, 1905.

PATENT OEEICE.

ABRAHAM O. FRIOK, OF WAYNESBORO, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE FRIOKCOMPANY, OF WAYNESBORO, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPO- RATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

ICE-MAKING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of LettersPatent No. 784,315, dated March 7,1905.

Application filed April 6, 1898. Serial No. 676,662.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, ABRAHAM O. FRIoK, a citizen of the United States,residing at WVaynesbore, in the county of Franklin and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inIce-Making Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

Fly said invention relates to certain improvements in the arrangement ofparts of an ice-making apparatus of that character known as the platesystem.

It consists chiefly in the novel arrangement for securingan improvedmethod of circulating the freezing and thawing medium through the cellsor plates whereby the best results are obtained in that the brine orother noncongealable fluid used is brought when in its coldest state toact upon that portion of the water to be frozen which is of the highesttemperature, and, further, whereby the freezing medium may be convertedinto a thawing medium and the cold taken therefrom in the process ofraising its temperature be imparted to the water to be used on theammoniacondenscr and its condensing power thus increased, thereby makinga lower pressure in the machine possible and effecting a considerablesaving in consequence, all as will be hereinafter more fully describedand claimed.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which are made a part hereof andon which similar characters of reference indicate similar parts, Figure1 is a top or plan view of a freezing-tank, two compartments of whichare shown filled with cells or plates provided with my improvedarrangement of parts for securing the object above set forth; Fig. 2, acrosssection through said tank, showing one of the cells in centrallongitudinal section and also showing the other parts of the apparatusimmediately connected in the operation with the variousconnecting-pipes; Fig. 3, a detail view similar to a portion of Fig. 2,showing a somewhat-modified arrangement; Fig. 4, a detail cross-sectionon the line 4: 4 in Fig. 3; and Fig. 5, a view similar to Fig. 1,showing another modification in the arrangement.

In said drawings the portions marked A represent the freezing-tank; B,the cells or plates therein; O,the brine-tank; D,the watersupply tank,and E the ammonia-condenser.

The freezing-tank A is or may be of any suitable or approved form orconstruction, being preferably divided into compartments by partitions0/ in order that part or all may be operated at one time, as desired.

The cells or plates B are also in main of common form, consisting of twoplates riveted to angle-irons I), which are located near the ends andconstitute the partitions to cut off a portion of the ends from thefreezing operation and prevent ice from forming on the sides of the tankA. The space between said partition 6 and the extreme ends is preferablypacked with any suitable packing material, as shown. Each cell ispreferably divided to near its bottom into several com partments (threeare shown) by vertical transverse partitions b". A free space is left atthe bottom, as shown, to permit the free circulation of the freezing andthawing liquid from one end to the other and to the discharge-pipe fromall parts thereof. Said cells are some what higher than the tank A toguard against any of the brine overflowing into the liquid to be frozen.They may also be provided with water-tight covers I), as indicated inFig. 3, if needed or preferred. In the top of each compartment of saidcells at a point substantially level with the top of tank A a horizontalpipe B, with perforated or slotted under side, is arranged. The severalpipes of each cell are connected to a single pipe 1, which crosses thetop thereof. A longitudinal pipe 2 runs along one side of the tank A,with which one end of each of said pipes 1 connects, and a similar pipe3 runs along the opposite side of said tank, with which the opposite endof each of said pipes 1 is connected. A valve b is located at eachconnection between the pipes B and 1 for controlling the flow from oneto the other, and valves 7/ and .71 near each end of the pipes 1,control the flow from one or the other of the pipes 2 or 3, as will bepresently explained. A single pipe 4 connects the pipe 2 with a pump P,which is connected with the brine-tank C. A discharge-pipe 5 leads fromthe bottom of each cell to a single pipe 6, which runs longitudinally ofthe tank near its bottom. A valve 6 is provided in each pipe 5 tocontrol the flow therefrom to said pipe 6. A second longitudinal pipe 7runs along under said discharge-pipes 5, each of which is connectedthereto by a short pipe 8, connected therewith between the valve 6 andthe cell. A single pipe 9 connects said pipe 7 with a pump P. A valve 5in each valve 8 controls the flow from said pipes 5 to said pipe 7 andpump P. A pipe 10 leads from said pump P to the water-supply tank Dabove the ammoniacondenser, is coiled therein, and leads therefrom backto pipe 3.

' As shown in Fig. 5, instead of pipe 10 be:

ing coiled in water-tank D it may be passed directly under sprinkler Dabove ammoniacondenser. In this arrangement the water from saidsprinkler first passes over said pipe 10, by which its temperature isreduced, and then over the ammonia-condenser.

The brine-tank C is of common form, containing a cooling-coil c. Thewater-tank D is situated above the ammonia-condenser E, to which itsupplies the water required through the pipe d and sprinkler D, asusual. Said ammonia-condenser E is of any usual approved form and needsno special description.

The operation of my said invention is as follows: The cells and variouspipes and other parts being in operative position and properlyconnected, as shown and described, and the water to be frozen being inthe freezing-tank surrounding said cells, the freezing operation isbegun by closing the valves 6 and if and opening the valves 5, 7), andIf and starting pump P in operation. This operates to force the brinefrom tank C, where it has been reduced to the temperature required forthe purpose, through pipe 4 into pipe 2 and from pipe 2 into the severalpipes 1 connected therewith which are connected with the cells to beused, down into the pipes B of said cells and discharge the same throughthe openings in said pipes B into the tops of said cells in a downwarddirection. Under the pressure from the pump or gravity, or both, saidbrine flows from the top of the cell downward against its side to thebottom, from which it is discharged through the pipes 5 into pipe 6 andfrom thence flows through pipe 11 back to tank C, where itstemperatureis properly reduced, and it is then ready to be used again.The

operation is continued, of course, until the ice tank, where it is atits highest temperature and requires greater freezing power in orderthat it shall be frozen with the same rapidity as the colder water inthe lower portions'of the tank and the cake of ice be formed of eventhickness throughout its height. When the ice on one or more of thecells becomes of the thickness desired and it is desired to free ittherefrom to be removed, the valves 6 and 6* are closed and valves 6 andb are opened. The pump P being then in operation, the brine is drawnfrom the cells through the pipes 5 and 8 into the pipe 7 and from thencethrough pipe 9 into said pump P, from which it is forced through thepipe 10 (having the coil located to contact with the condensing agent intank D, as shown in Fig. 2, or as shown in Fig. 5, or by any otherapproved arrangement,) and down into pipe 3 and the pipes 1,which havetheir valves 6 open, and through pipes B again down through the cells,the circuit being repeated until the thawing process has reached thatstage which will enable the cakes of ice to be removed readily from thesides of the cells. The brine as it leaves the cells for its initialcircuit through pipe 10 and connections is in a very cold state, and inpassing through the coil which cools the condensing water (or othercondensing agent) of very much higher temperature the temperature ofsaid brine is raised sufiiciently to convert it from a freezing mediumto a thawing medium. In its next passage through the cells itstemperature is again reduced by the thawing process, and on its nextcircuit through the coil in the water-tank D (or over the condenser) itis again raised to a thawing temperature. At the same time the coldtaken up from said brine is imparted to the water in said tank, which isto be used on the ammonia-condenser and its condensing power thusgreatly increased. By this means the pressure in the machine may bereduced and considerable saving in operating it effected. By thearrangement of pipes and valves described anyone cell or any number ofcells, as desired, may be connected with the freezing-circuit orthawing-circuit, the freezing operation being carried on in a portionand the thawing in a portion, as each cell is connected with eachcircuit independently of the rest, the opening and the closing of thevalves 6 b and b if operating to connect it with whichever circuitdesired, as before described.

In Fig. 3 the discharge-pipe B is shown as passing out from the bottomof the cell and then up through the packing between the sides and theend partition I) and the side of the tank, passing through said side-ofthe tank near its top and then turning down and discharging into areceiving-tank B A branch pipe 12 is connected to its top to return thebrine to the tank C, and a valve 6 is provided to control the directionof the The pump P takes the brine from tank B in such construction andforces it through the thawing-circuit, as above described. Thisarrangement is shown simply to illustrate one of many obviousmodifications in the construction and arrangement of details which canbe made without materially altering the apparatus or departing from thespirit of my invention as herein set forth. In Fig. t the constructionof the cells at their ends is most plainly shown, pipe B being alsoshown packed therein, as in Fig. 3.

Having thus fully described my said invention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an ice-making apparatus, the combination with the freezing tankand cells, of pipes connected with said cells for conducting anon-congealable fluid arranged to circulate said fluid in a verticaldirection from the top to the bottom of said cells and form two separatecircuits. onea freezing and the other a thawing circuit. with each ofsaid cells constituting a part of each of said circuits, and valves insaid pipes for throwing said cell into the circuit desired and cuttingit off from the other, substantially as described and for the purposespecified.

2. In an ice-making apparatus, the combination with the freezing tankand cells, of two pipe-circuits for a non-congealable fluid which arejoined or completed by a cell, one of said circuits being a freezing andthe other a thawing circuit, the thawing-circuit passing through thecondensing agent for the ammoniacondenser, and valves for controllingthe flow through whichever circuit is desired, substantially as setforth.

3. In an ice-making apparatus, the combination, of the freezing-tank,the cells, a circuit of pipes from the brine-cooling tank through saidcells and return, anothercircuit from said cells through a pipe whichpasses through the condensing agent for the ammonia-condenser andreturn, valves for throwing the cell into Whichever circuit is desired,and means for circulating the brine or non-congealable fluid throughwhichever circuit is open, whereby it may be converted from a freezingto a thawing medium by passing through said condensing agent for theammonia-condenser, and said condensing agent at the same time reduced intemperature by the cold taken up from said non-congealable fluid and itsefliciency thereby enhanced, substantially as set forth.

t. In an ice-machine, the combination, of the freezing-tank, the cellstherein, and a pipe-circuit for the freezing medium from the supply-tanktherefor through said cells and return, said circuit being arranged todischarge said freezing medium into the top of said cells and through anuninterrupted passage to the bottom in a vertical direction, and take itout at said bottom, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination, in an ice-making machine, of the tank, the cells,the brine-supply pipes, horizontal pipes with openings in their undersides mounted in the tops of said cells and connected with saidbrine-supply pipe, discharge-pipes connecting With the bottom of saidcells, and means for effecting a circulation of the brine through saidcells in a vertical direction from the top to the bottom thereof,substantially as set forth.

6. In an ice-making machine, the combination, of the tank, thefreezing-cells therein formed with vertical partitions at intervalswhich extend to near the bottom thereof forming uninterrupted verticalpassages therethrough, the brine-supply pipe, horizontal pipes connectedtherewith and mounted in the top of the vertical compartments thusformed in said cells, said pipes having openings in their under sides, adischarge-pipe leading from the bottom of each cell, and means forforcing the brine through the circuit thus formed into the top of saidcells and out at the bottom, substantially as set forth.

7. In an ice-making machine, the combination, of the freezing-tank, thecells therein, the brine-supply pipe discharging in a downward verticaldirection into said cellsat or near the top thereof, a discharge-pipeleading from thebottom thereof, a pipe leading therefrom to a pump, andanother to the brinetank, valves to regulate the How to said pump ortank, as desired, a pipe leading from said pump to a coil in thewater-supply tank of the ammonia-condenser and back to the pipe whichdischarges into the top of said cells, and valves for regulating thecourse of the brine, as desired, substantially as set forth.

8. In an ice-machine, the combination with the cells, of a circuit forcirculating the freezing medium through them, which discharges saidmedium into the top of said cells and takes it through them in anuninterrupted downward vertical direction and withdraws it ABRAHAM O.FRIGK. i [L. s.]

Witnesses:

S. W. CUNNINGHAM, 'I. S. CUNNINGHAM.

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